Apparatus, system and method for zero edge pools

ABSTRACT

A fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) plate is disclosed and used in a zero edge pool embodiment according to this invention to permit grass to grow above the FRC plate while providing sufficient load-bearing strength to support the soil there-above to allow the growth of grass up to the water&#39;s edge.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An improved zero edge pool design and related systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention pertains generally to the field of swimming and bathing pools, and more specifically to recirculation systems for such pools including a water overflow edge and related systems. More particularly, the invention teaches the construction and elements of an improved “zero edge” system and related devices for incorporation and use in such systems. Zero edge systems are characterized by the presence of a static water level of the body of water in the pool or similar system being equal to the same grade/elevation as the coping/perimeter finish material adjacent the body of water. This grade/elevation will vary while in operation based on the thickness of water's meniscus as it overflows the weir/edge into an overflow capture and recirculation trough.

Swimming pools, spas, fountains, and other architectural bodies of water are typically provided with systems for re-circulating water in order to send water contained in the body of water through a filtration system and reintroduce it into the water body. In the progression/evolution of swimming pool/spa and water-shaping industries, many design details have been introduced into such systems for their aesthetic qualities. Such details provide aesthetic benefits while simultaneously meeting the requirements for the circulation, filtration, or sanitation of the body of water. “Vanishing edge” and “zero edge” details are examples of these types of aesthetic design features.

Vanishing edge and zero edge designs reveal a clean water edge by overflow. This overflow is part of a system for re-circulating water over a portion of the perimeter of a body of water's surface area. The edges where water overflows the perimeter are called weirs. As the water overflows a weir it is collected in a perimeter trough system adjacent and below the perimeter defined by the weir. From the trough system water is drained back to a separate reservoir location. The pump for the system then draws the water from the reservoir and re-circulates it back to the body of water where it once again enters the body of water and continues the cycle. In zero edge systems, the weir location has moved from using the structural shell of the body of water to form the weir. Instead, the structural shell is modified to inset and enclose the trough/collection system.

An early example of this type of system is provided in FIG. 1. As will be noted from review of this drawing figure, this particular embodiment of the concept features an upward opening overflow slot 3 that is significantly inset from a side edge 5 of a pool or other body of water 1. However, this form and mode of construction has at least two serious draw-backs. First, using the width of the shell structure 4 as the weir keeps the coping/finish material 2 submerged by overflowing water 1B, causing a slip hazard unless specific material is used with an approved friction coefficient. This limits and restricts available material options. In addition, when the structural shell 4 is used to form the weir, slot 3 and trough 5A are contained within a secondary structure/appendage 4A that must be built on the outside perimeter of shell 4 and the coping 2 forming the weir after the shell has been completed. The lack of monolithic build provides for additional labor days, material, and issues with waterproofing the joint between the two structures, all of which add to inconvenience and cost of construction.

A more current example of such a system is provided in FIG. 2, illustrating an overflow collection trough construction method and type with an upward opening overflow slot 3 minimally inset from a side edge 5 of a pool or other body of water 1 by a relatively thin plate of material 6 (typically formed from stainless steel). The trough system of this type of zero edge system is created within the structural shell 4 by placement of a hollow form in the shape of the intended trough 5A, and filling around it. In this situation, it is very difficult to obtain a consistent fill on either side of the form. This results in the dam portion of shell 4 located between trough 5A and pool side 5 as well as the portion supporting coping material 2 being consistently imperfect, with hollow spaces, requiring hours of labor and bags of sac material to correct for the installation of the finish materials. Further, the lack of support for coping material 2 adjacent pool edge 5 requires the use of cantilevered stainless steel plates underneath coping material 2 to carry the finish material and the normal weight of persons or objects typically traversing the top of coping/finish material 2. Consequently, problems arising from previous methods and materials have made zero edge systems notoriously expensive to execute and extremely problematic in terms of not being sufficiently waterproof, compact, and reasonable in terms of construction costs. While these examples are noted to be known constructs and are sometimes referred to herein as “prior art”, this is not intended to imply that the referenced information constitutes novelty or inventive step/obviousness defeating information.

It is noted that this same inventor has previously filed a patent application, published as WO2019/089849, for a Zero Edge Pool design, incorporated by reference herein for its disclosure, over which the present invention disclosure provides novel and inventive features for defining a Zero Edge Pool within, e.g. a grassy or other location, as further disclosed and claimed herein below.

It is further noted that a current commercial installer of Zero Edge Pools is utilizing stainless steel plates underneath coping material to carry the finish material and the normal weight of persons or objects typically traversing the top of coping/finish material. This provides a potential electrical hazard, is expensive to install, and is difficult to modify on site. The present invention solves these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention overcomes the limitations of systems known in the art in a manner that is cost-effective and efficient. To do this, the inventor has developed a system that primarily relies on two distinctive but interacting innovations/elements. The first element is a unique dam intended and designed to dimensionally occupy the front of a ledge formed in the shell, where it can serve as a mounting location for waterline finish material as well as serving as the foundation and support for the apparatus comprising the second element, a distinctive mounting plate and related parts that serve, in conjunction with the dam element, as a means of support for coping surface materials and otherwise help to define the enclosed trough of the invention.

The installation and components of the present system are substantially as disclosed previously in WO2019/089849, for a Zero Edge Pool design, incorporated by reference herein for its disclosure, over which the present invention disclosure provides novel and inventive features for defining a Zero Edge Pool within, e.g. a grassy or other location, as further disclosed and claimed herein below.

These purposes according to the present invention are achieved in the creation of a water overflow edge and trough combination, based on the elements and method of the invention as generally outlined above, and more specifically described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A provides a cross-sectional schematic view of prior art overflow collection trough construction (prior art collection trough assembly type 1) wherein a series of metal support structures are laid around the pool to provide a coping support, as in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of prior art overflow collection trough construction (prior art collection trough assembly type 2), substantially in accordance with the teachings of WO2019089849.

FIG. 3 provides a side sectional view of an embodiment of the Aqua Zero Edge with a fabric reinforced concrete (FRC) plate replacement of the metal plates included in the zero edge according to FIG. 2 assembled substantially as taught in WO2019089849.

FIG. 4 provides a detailed side sectional view of an embodiment of the Aqua Zero Edge FRC Plate according to this invention.

FIG. 5 a top view of the FRC plate according to this invention with suggestive but non-limiting dimensions.

FIG. 6 provides a side sectional view of the FRC plate according to this invention.

FIG. 7 provides an elevational view of the FRC plate according to this invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION; WRITTEN AND ENABLING DESCRIPTION

The overall features of the zero-edge pool aspect of the instant invention can best be understood by review of FIG. 1, a prior art zero edge pool construction system which includes metal plates which present an electrocution and electrical conduction hazard, which adds significant cost, and which cannot easily be modified on site as needed.

FIG. 2 herein and the disclosure found in WO2019089849 provides the essential structure of a zero-edge pool in which the component described herein below provides a significant alternate and non-obvious embodiment and improvement. FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of pool/spa shell 4B, which is initially constructed in accordance with known prior-art methods, but with the following modifications: the inclusion of 6″ deep and 8″ wide cut-out 4B1, and the placement of suitably spaced rebar pins 4B2 to be used for anchoring the distinctive dam element 7. Dam element 7 comprises an elongate element with a cross-section forming a right-triangle and having suitable sockets for mounting to spaced rebar pins 4B2 with its flat upright side positioned towards the pool edge. After this, a waterproofing membrane/material 8 may be advantageously installed over the dam 7, back down through trough 5A, and then up onto a rear high-point of the ledge of shell 4B. Following this, a waterline finish material such as the illustrated planar granite member 9 is installed on a leading side of the dam 7 to create a static water level with the top of said member forming the weir over which water spills into trough 5A via slot 3. (As will be noted, dam 7 has routed grooves on all three outward surfaces that will, on installation, be adjacent pool/finish material 9, trough 5A and shell 4B, so as to form strong mechanical bonds when appropriate sealants or other appropriate bonding/finishing materials are used to connect these elements). Next, mounting plate 10 and associated elements are installed between the high-point of the ledge and the dam 7 so as to span the trough 5A created thereby. Then to complete construction, the coping/finish material 2B for the shell 4B is installed on top of the mounting plate 10 so as to be even with its upper surface at the same elevation as the top of the waterline finish material 9.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a novel zero-edge arrangement and components according to the present invention. Most significantly, as can be seen by comparison with FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, this embodiment of the present invention includes a fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) plate to replace the metal component utilized in an installation such as that shown in FIG. 1, thereby alleviating and overcoming the limitations of that former design and components used therein, as discussed above.

FIG. 3 shows a zero edge pool embodiment 100 according to this invention comprises the following interlocking and linked elements, elements including: An AZE dam 101, modified thin set 102 to adhere the dam, rebar pin 103, micro-fracture mitigation fabric waterproofing membrane 104, a modified AZE plate 105, over which is situated the FRC plate 106 of sufficient load-bearing strength to support enough soil there-above to permit grass to grow right up to the edge of the plate proximate the water's edge. Corbel 107 mates with dam 101 at 108, thus providing support to the modified AZE plate 105 and the FRC plate 106, all adhered to each other with modified thin set.

FIG. 4 provides a detailed view of the FRC plate 106, the corbel 107 which is cut or modified to match the dam on site install. Suggested but non-limiting dimensions are provided in the figure to provide enabling disclosure and written description to those skilled in the art seeking to practice the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides a tip view of the FRC plate 106 according to this invention. Again, suggested non-limiting dimensions are provided to enable those wishing to practice this invention under license to do so. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that different dimensions may be used to suit a particular install site. The FRC plate 106 is easily modified, e.g. by cutting it with an appropriate blade known in the art, at the site of install, as and when needed.

FIG. 6 provides a sectional view of the FRC plate 106 according to the invention, with, again, suggestive but non-limiting dimensions provided.

FIG. 7 provides a top view of the FRC plate 106 according to this invention.

In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that numerous changes, equivalents, and variations can be made to various dimensions, aspects and elements of the invention disclosed herein without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept described herein. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) of the invention herein described is/are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is not intended to limit the scope of the claims included herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) plate as shown and described herein.
 2. A zero edge pool structure comprising the FRC plate as shown and described herein. 